oh gawd

[EltonFrog]

I am doing Ride London, as many here probably are. I got an email yesterday from my charity (paid charity place) asking for a couple of paragraphs on why I am doing it for them and send a couple of pictures, then they will promote it on their facebook / Website. Feeling pretty crap that I have only raised £140 so far, especially when the charity means so much to me. Beginning to feel like I only signed up so that I would get a place.

Did you, or is that in your head?

It's not difficult raising money for sponsorship all you have to do is ask people, the more you ask the money you will raise, the more often you ask the easier it is. In my experience one has to ask the same people three times to get a commitment (either positive or negative). A few folk will say no for all sorts of reason, the main one being that they have no connection with what, why, when and how you are doing the event. If you can get that message across then you will have good results. It's also the WWWH the charity want for the few paragraphs on their website and social media pages.

Ask lots of people for sponsorship / donations.
Ask every day.
Dont stress about it.
Ask again.
See if you can find a company that will sponsor you in return for publicity and logo on your cycle jersey. (last year we had to firms sponsor us (£250 & £100 respectively)
Keep Asking
Last year my wife made cakes, took them to work and got donations of £85.00
Ask again, in a different way.
A weekly email newsletter telling folk about your efforts, training and progress, and thank yous to the folks that have donated so far. (every time we did this, the there would be activity on the giving page)

Our joint target was £900.00 we ended up with £1350. All we did was ask people.

It's not difficult to do it just requires friendly consistent and persistent application.

I say shame on the organisers for making anyone feel guilty for not having raised the 'required amount'.
You've already paid £60 to enter. They should be grateful for your support and any amount extra that you have managed to raise.

I disagree, if you take up the challenge on the terms set out by the organisation then in my opinion you have a moral obligation to raise the funds, if you can't do it, don't participate. They are not trying to make people feel guilty or to shame them they are asking for a commitment. "Do or do not there is no try" as someone once said.

Anyway back to the OP. Good luck on your ride, have a great day it's a fantastic event, and I've just bunged a couple of bob on your JG page.

All you have to do is ask.

 

[mjr]

I disagree, if you take up the challenge on the terms set out by the organisation then in my opinion you have a moral obligation to raise the funds, if you can't do it, don't participate.

@Steppylud has been quite clear that the terms were a rather mixed message, asking only for a minimal fee and then a message that "we'd like this but we know it's really difficult". What are the terms, then? Those passive-aggressive fundraising terms really bug me because they get riders to sign up and then feel inadequate if they don't want to keep pimping their ride to bystanders, but then I feel most of the sportive-as-fundraiser entry class seems a bit corrupt in two ways - firstly, it misportrays cycling as something extreme and a serious challenge; and secondly, how many fundraising entrants have never done a long-distance ride before signing up?

 

[vickster]

It'd be interesting to know how many riders took up charity places when they didn't get in through the ballot?

Also charities have to pay for places, but not sure how much more than the standard £58 ballot fee

 

[Steppylud]

Thanks for the comments, and more importantly the donations, really appreciate it.

I think I was a bit naive in my fundraising to be honest. In 2013 I did the Leukaemia & Lymphoma research London Bikeathon (26 miles) and raised £750. last year I did the 52 mile version of the same thing and raised a similar amount, both of which now I look back were piddly distances and flat as a pancake. My technique has generally been to ask friends, family and colleagues for donations, and I thought people would realise that Ride London is a significantly bigger deal the money would roll in. I think people get fed up of charity fundraising, its in your face every five minutes.


oh and @vickster Yes, that was me, however I always intended trying to fund raise for the Royal Marsden regardless of ballot place or not.

 

[vickster]

I can understand people's reticence if they are always asked
I got a ballot place and was going to fundraise last year. But having pulled out and still being orthopaedically challenged it's always been touch and go as to whether I'd do it. I will do it having done long rides the last two weekends without major ill effects . I'll make a donation to my chosen charity afterwards

 

[Steppylud]

And if I don't get in via ballot next year, I wont be doing it again!.

 

[vickster]

Yes I have no need to do it again, too much stress and physio over the last 2 years trying to get fit. End up being quite costly with entrance, transport, hotel and what not. And I've still not had last years lost fee back!

 

[Steppylud]

Hotel? Im getting a cab with a mate to Blackwall!

 

[EltonFrog]

@Steppylud i realise now that my comments may seem condescending, that was not my intention, I apologise, it's clear that you certainly know how to fund raise, it's possible that you have maxed out your circle of influence for the time being.

I was trying to offer advice.

 

[vickster]

Hotel? Im getting a cab with a mate to Blackwall!

Yes probably no more than a cab with bikes at silly o clock and only 5 miles from the start. Don't trust nor like cabs at the best of times! Leisurely 34 stop tube journey to barking on Saturday for us!!

 

[Steppylud]

@CarlP No offence taken, all advice is always gratefully received.